Andrew Strawbridge, a seasoned warrior in the rugby coaching arena, not only battles the opposition on the field but has also tackled his own life-threatening challenges off it. At 61, Strawbridge’s harrowing ordeal with sepsis back in 2015 is a stark reminder of his resilience. Having lost an eye due to the infection, he has adapted remarkably, continuing to push the boundaries of England's rugby tactics alongside head coach Steve Borthwick.
Strawbridge, who previously contributed to the Chiefs' Super Rugby triumphs, joined England's coaching staff full-time after a consultancy role during the 2024 Six Nations. His expertise was also pivotal for the All Blacks during their run to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. Now focusing on England's attacking strategies, he has been instrumental in their recent string of successes, including a seven-match Test winning streak leading up to the Autumn Nations Series in November 2025.
The veteran coach openly shared the details of his brush with death in Samoa with Rugby World magazine. "It was before the 2015 World Cup, and I was off to Samoa. I developed sepsis from a simple graze on my eye, exacerbated by a flight and prednisone, which I was taking for another condition. It's a miracle I survived," Strawbridge recounted.
"So many people haven't survived that experience..."
His recovery was anything but guaranteed, as he endured a coma and severe treatments in inadequate ICU conditions. "I was in and out of consciousness, with nurses manually keeping me alive. If not for their dedication and a bit of stubbornness on my part, I wouldn’t be here," he admitted.
Despite the physical setback of losing an eye, Strawbridge's coaching prowess remains undimmed. He humorously shared an anecdote about adjusting to life with one eye, "I once drove off during an argument with my wife, only realizing mid-way I was driving with one eye!"
For Strawbridge, every day on the pitch is a victory, "A good day is when I don't drop the ball or get through a session without injury. It's about adapting and overcoming, which is what we teach our players every day." His story is not just one of survival but of thriving in the face of adversity, continuing to inspire both players and fans alike.